under the circumstances," I replied. "His Royal
Highness, the Duke of Gloucester, was appointed Protector by the late
King, shortly before the noble Edward's death."

"So her Majesty informs me," he interrupted. "How acts Lord Hastings?"

"He seems to be uncommon friendly with the Prince, my lord."

"So I thought, so I thought," said he, speaking more unto himself than
me.

"And what about Buckingham?" he asked, as he stopped suddenly in his
walking back and forth across the room, with his head bent upon his
chest, and his hands clasped behind him.

"He seems most friendly with the Duke of Gloucester; in fact they are
inseparable." Then did I think it wise to tell him of the conversation
that I had overheard. So I beckoned him to come unto the far end of
the room, that the young King might not be alarmed by what I had to
tell. I repeated it word for word as I had heard it; for it was so
graven upon my memory that it can never be erased.

He listened attentively until I had finished, and then said in that
quiet manner which so well became him:--"Bradley, there may be trouble
afoot; however, we cannot be too cautious. I need not warn thee to
keep thine own counsel. This is a dangerous time for England; one
false step might cause irreparable damage." And then he asked me every
question he could think of; and had ye but known him you might have had
some idea of that number, which was indeed great.

The King kindly invited me to sup with them that night. Sir Richard
Grey, one of her Majesty's sons by her first husband, was also present
at supper.

Soon after the meal the young King retired; but we sat up late, and
discussed the affairs of state, and laid plans for the levying of the
forces to escort the King to London. Lord Rivers and Grey both seemed
to fear that Richard did intend to take the young King away from their
control and influence, unless they took a sufficient force to make such
a step impossible. On this I did not express an opinion; for who could
tell what move a man like Gloucester might make.

The next morning orders were sent out through several counties to raise
troops.

When these commenced coming in, Lord Rivers, Sir Richard Grey and I
were kept busy inspecting them and getting them properly equipped.

By the end of one week we had an army of above ten thousand men ready
to march with our little Sovereign, and others were coming in with
every hour that passed.

One evening we he